Genetic structure among the local chicken ecotypes of Tanzania based on microsatellite DNA typing

A study was conducted to evaluate the genetic structure of local chicken ecotypes of Tanzania using 20 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers. A standard PCR was followed by manual genotyping (6% native polyacrylamide gel visualized by silver staining). Phylogenetic analysis of 13 individuals from each of the nine ecotypes named Ching'wekwe, Kuchi, Mbeya, Morogoro-medium, N'zenzegere, Pemba, Singamagazi, Unguja and a White Leghorn breed was performed. The ten populations assorted into nine clusters with chickens from the same ecotype often clustering together. It is concluded that there is high genetic relatedness within indigenous chicken ecotype than between ecotypes. This offers a basic step towards rational decision-making on the modalities of selective breeding without compromising the existence of each unique genetic resource.Key words: Local-chicken, ecotypes, microsatellites, DNA, PCR.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (8), pp. 768-77

Implementing poultry vaccination and biosecurity at the village level in Tanzania: a social strategy to promote health in free-range poultry populations

A social strategy was tested for implementing Newcastle disease (ND) vaccination and biosecurity improvements among free-ranging chicken at village level in Tanzania. In addition to training the local poultry vaccinators, data recorders and poultry-keepers, the strategy involved training and empowering leaders at the district, ward and village level. The trainings covered poultry health, management, and marketing of village chickens, with an emphasis on ND vaccination and improving biosecurity against avian influenza (AI), The study sites included villages in one ward in each of three each three districts (Iringa, Mtwara-Mikindani, and Mvomero) of mainland Tanzania. Ninety-six local leaders at district level and 101 leaders at ward levels were trained. In addition, 196 farmers (households) were trained, as well as 86 vaccinators and 26 data recorders. Data recorders were also trained as poultry first aid workers. ND vaccination was conducted by the vaccinators, supervised by their local leaders with technical assistance from veterinarians. A total of 158,343 village chickens were vaccinated in three rounds of vaccination three months apart. The training and empowerment of local leaders and local implementers was the key element for success as it fostered the feeling of local ownership of the program and prevented conflicts with other development activities within the villages. We conclude that most animal health programs will increase their odds of success by involving local leaders and by addressing the current challenges facing the farmers. Further assessment on the usefulness of this approach is needed

Exploring the risk factors of child malnutrition in Sub-Sahara Africa: a scoping review

Background: Malnutrition prevents children from reaching their full physical and mental potential. Health and physical consequences of prolonged states of malnourishment among children are: delay in their physical growth and motor development ; lower intellectual quotient (IQ), greater behavioural problems and deficient social skills; susceptibility to contracting diseases. According to the 2015 Millennium development goal (MDG) report, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounts for one third of all undernourished children globally, highlighting that malnutrition still remains a major health concern for children under 5 years in the sub-region, thus buttressing the need for urgent intervention. Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the risk factors of child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa through a scoping review. Methods: The scoping review was conducted using the following specific subject databases: EBSCOhost, google scholar, Pub med, demographic research and research gate. Attention was paid to keywords during navigation to ensure consistency of searches in each database. Two limiters were applied in all five databases. These included the use of the English language and articles published on child malnutrition in sub Saharan Africa. Results: The researchers identified eight themes for inclusion in the findings. The themes fell into four major categories being maternal related, family related, child related as well as context related factors. These themes reflect factors associated with child malnutrition. Conclusion: This scop-ing review revealed that there are quite a number of risk factors that lead to child malnutrition. Therefore, there is an urgency for strategic interventions aimed at improving child nutrition through female education if the 2030 end malnutrition SDG 2.2 are to be achieved

Mitochondrial phylogeography and population structure of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus in the African Great Lakes region

Abstract Background The ixodid tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is the main vector of Theileria parva, wich causes the highly fatal cattle disease East Coast fever (ECF) in sub-Saharan Africa. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus populations differ in their ecology, diapause behaviour and vector competence. Thus, their expansion in new areas may change the genetic structure and consequently affect the vector-pathogen system and disease outcomes. In this study we investigated the genetic distribution of R. appendiculatus across agro-ecological zones (AEZs) in the African Great Lakes region to better understand the epidemiology of ECF and elucidate R. appendiculatus evolutionary history and biogeographical colonization in Africa. Methods Sequencing was performed on two mitochondrial genes (cox1 and 12S rRNA) of 218 ticks collected from cattle across six AEZs along an altitudinal gradient in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. Phylogenetic relationships between tick populations were determined and evolutionary population dynamics models were assessed by mismach distribution. Results Population genetic analysis yielded 22 cox1 and 9 12S haplotypes in a total of 209 and 126 nucleotide sequences, respectively. Phylogenetic algorithms grouped these haplotypes for both genes into two major clades (lineages A and B). We observed significant genetic variation segregating the two lineages and low structure among populations with high degree of migration. The observed high gene flow indicates population admixture between AEZs. However, reduced number of migrants was observed between lowlands and highlands. Mismatch analysis detected a signature of rapid demographic and range expansion of lineage A. The star-like pattern of isolated and published haplotypes indicates that the two lineages evolve independently and have been subjected to expansion across Africa. Conclusions Two sympatric R. appendiculatus lineages occur in the Great Lakes region. Lineage A, the most diverse and ubiquitous, has experienced rapid population growth and range expansion in all AEZs probably through cattle movement, whereas lineage B, the less abundant, has probably established a founder population from recent colonization events and its occurrence decreases with altitude. These two lineages are sympatric in central and eastern Africa and allopatric in southern Africa. The observed colonization pattern may strongly affect the transmission system and may explain ECF endemic instability in the tick distribution fringes

In Silico Drug Repurposing of FDA-Approved Drugs Highlighting Promacta as a Potential Inhibitor of H7N9 Influenza Virus

Influenza virus infections continue to be a significant and recurrent public health problem. Although vaccine efficacy varies, regular immunisation is the most effective method for suppressing the influenza virus. Antiviral drugs are available for influenza, although two of the four FDA-approved antiviral treatments have resulted in significant drug resistance. Therefore, new treatments are being sought to reduce the burden of flu-related illness. The time-consuming development of treatments for new and re-emerging diseases such as influenza and the high failure rate are increasing concerns. In this context, we used an in silico-based drug repurposing method to repurpose FDA-approved drugs as potential therapies against the H7N9 virus. To find potential inhibitors, a total of 2568 drugs were screened. Promacta, tucatinib, and lurasidone were identified as promising hits in the DrugBank database. According to the calculations of MM-GBSA, tucatinib (−54.11 kcal/mol) and Promacta (−56.20 kcal/mol) occupied the active site of neuraminidase with a higher binding affinity than the standard drug peramivir (−49.09 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies showed that the C-α atom backbones of the complexes of tucatinib and Promacta neuraminidase were stable throughout the simulation period. According to ADME analysis, the hit compounds have a high gastrointestinal absorption (GI) and do not exhibit properties that allow them to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB). According to the in silico toxicity prediction, Promacta is not cardiotoxic, while lurasidone and tucatinib show only weak inhibition. Therefore, we propose to test these compounds experimentally against the influenza H7N9 virus. The investigation and validation of these potential H7N9 inhibitors would be beneficial in order to bring these compounds into clinical settings

Marketing of free range local chickens in Dar Es Salaam City: Some implications for Rural Extension Services in Tanzania

Improving the Health and Productivity of Rural Chickens in Africa (IHEPRUCA) ProjectThis study was conducted from 29th April, 2003 to 6th May, 2003 with the main aim of of the study was to investigate the marketing strategies and the income that village buyers and the urban middle-persons earned from the free-range local chicken (FRLCs), i.e. the latter bought FRLCs in the rural villages and the former sold them in the city of Dar es Salaam. The study interviewed 160 respondents involved in the marketing of FRLC, and of these, 88 were village buyers and 72 were middle-persons. The village buyers went out in the rural areas, bought FRLCs and transported them to Dar es Salaam city and sold chicken to the middle-persons who in turn sold them to urban consumers. To cover the 13 markets scattered in the three Districts (Kinondoni, Ilala, Temeke) in the region of Dar es Salaam, three trained enumerators were temporarily employed to interview village buyers and urban middle-persons using a pre-tested and validated questionnaires. The study found that most the people involved in the FRLCs business were younger (30 to 45 years of age) and over 90 percent were males. Tuesdays and Thursdays were the days when most of the FRLCs were brought in from the up-country destinations. Most of the FRLCs sold in 13 markets in the city of Dar es Salaam originated from Dodoma and Singida regions—further proving earlier proof that these two regions produced the most FRLCs sold in the city. Most of the FRLCs were transported on trains and that the tenga was the most common container used for transporting chicken to the markets. Cocks were priced highly than hens, and that August, September and October FRLCs fetched high prices. Respondents showed that most of the FRLCs showed disease symptoms in September. The urban middle-persons earned more profits from selling FRLCs than did the village buyers. There are a number of implications for rural extension services that emanate from this study that could improve the husbandry of FRLCs, hence, contributing to household income and poverty alleviation in rural areas. Furthermore, the findings of this study have demonstrated the enormous potential of FRLCs a resource that few have tapped leaving out the smallholder to get a pittance. Therefore, this study makes recommendations at six levels of operation: the extension officers, the researchers, the village buyers and urban middle-persons, the NGOs and the Government

Marketing of free range local chickens in Dar Es Salaam City: Some implications for Rural Extension Services in Tanzania

Improving the Health and Productivity of Rural Chickens in Africa (IHEPRUCA) ProjectThis study was conducted from 29th April, 2003 to 6th May, 2003 with the main aim of of the study was to investigate the marketing strategies and the income that village buyers and the urban middle-persons earned from the free-range local chicken (FRLCs), i.e. the latter bought FRLCs in the rural villages and the former sold them in the city of Dar es Salaam. The study interviewed 160 respondents involved in the marketing of FRLC, and of these, 88 were village buyers and 72 were middle-persons. The village buyers went out in the rural areas, bought FRLCs and transported them to Dar es Salaam city and sold chicken to the middle-persons who in turn sold them to urban consumers. To cover the 13 markets scattered in the three Districts (Kinondoni, Ilala, Temeke) in the region of Dar es Salaam, three trained enumerators were temporarily employed to interview village buyers and urban middle-persons using a pre-tested and validated questionnaires. The study found that most the people involved in the FRLCs business were younger (30 to 45 years of age) and over 90 percent were males. Tuesdays and Thursdays were the days when most of the FRLCs were brought in from the up-country destinations. Most of the FRLCs sold in 13 markets in the city of Dar es Salaam originated from Dodoma and Singida regions—further proving earlier proof that these two regions produced the most FRLCs sold in the city. Most of the FRLCs were transported on trains and that the tenga was the most common container used for transporting chicken to the markets. Cocks were priced highly than hens, and that August, September and October FRLCs fetched high prices. Respondents showed that most of the FRLCs showed disease symptoms in September. The urban middle-persons earned more profits from selling FRLCs than did the village buyers. There are a number of implications for rural extension services that emanate from this study that could improve the husbandry of FRLCs, hence, contributing to household income and poverty alleviation in rural areas. Furthermore, the findings of this study have demonstrated the enormous potential of FRLCs a resource that few have tapped leaving out the smallholder to get a pittance. Therefore, this study makes recommendations at six levels of operation: the extension officers, the researchers, the village buyers and urban middle-persons, the NGOs and the Government

Acceptability of wastewater resource and its impact on crop production in Tanzania: the case of Dodoma, Morogoro and Mvomero wastewater stabilization ponds

Kivukoni Journal 2013, 1(2)The study was carried out to assess the views of urban farmers in relation to acceptability of wastewater resource in agriculture and examine its impact for crop production. A total of 200 respondents were involved in this study. The study found that 90% of the 112 households using wastewater and 85% of the 88 households not using the resource indicated effluents from WSPs as main and reliable source of water for irrigation. Wastewater utilization in agriculture was accepted by 97.3% of farmers using wastewater and 64.8% of farmers not using it and the difference was significant (p<0.01). The study found that on average farmers utilizing wastewater produced 4.5 bags of rice per acre more than farmers not utilizing wastewater and the difference was significant (p<0.05). In conclusion, wastewater utilization in agriculture was accepted by both groups of farmers engaging in agriculture in urban and peri-urban areas and that high crop yield was realized by farmers utilizing wastewater in agriculture . Since some respondents indicated that the resource may have health effects to farmers and consumers of the produce, it is recommended that, more research on microbial analysis be carried out to establish evidence of health effects associated with the use of wastewater in agriculture from infectious agent

Assessment of raw milk quality and stakeholders’ awareness on milk-borne health risks in Arusha city and Meru district, Tanzania

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the quality of raw milk and stakeholders’ awareness on milk borne health risks and factors for poor milk hygiene in Arusha City and Meru District, Tanzania between October and December 2012. A total of 105 smallholder dairy farmers, milk vendors and milk retailers were interviewed, and milk samples were collected for physical, microbial and antibiotic residue analysis using standard procedures. Questionnaire results indicated high level of awareness (94 %) that drinking raw milk can predispose consumers to milk-borne diseases; nevertheless, 65 % of respondents consumed raw milk. Physicochemical analyses showed some of the milk had sediments (20 %), bad smell (21 %) and had clotted on alcohol test (27 %). About 36 % of milk samples had pH below 6.6, and 25 % had specific gravity below 1.028 g/ml. The mean total viable count (TVC) of milk from vendors is significantly (P<0.05) higher than that from retailers and smallholder dairy farmers. Generally, 65 % of milk samples assessed had a higher TVC than the level recommended (2.0×105 cfu/ml) by the East African Community (EAC) standards. Up to 91 % of the milk samples had bacterial growth that included Eschericia coli (66 %), Staphylococcus aureus (33 %), Corynebacterium (11 %) and Pseudomonas (10 %). All smallholder dairy farmers were aware of drug residues, but majority (57 %) were unaware of human health effects caused by veterinary drug residues in milk. Up to 97 % of respondents reported to comply with drug withdrawal periods. This possibly led to all milk samples analysed to be negative from detectable levels of antibiotic residues. It is concluded that the level of awareness on milk quality is high, although practices associated with milking and post-harvest handling predispose milk to bacterial contamination which is a public health risk to milk consumers.Tanzania Food and Drugs Authorit